Yep, drones are the males, they get to go were they want. Drones will travel about 5 miles to other hives. As mentioned to prevent inbreeding. Hives like to keep about 10% of the population drones, during spring and summer for mating purpose. That is there only task.
Workers are just that the workers and make up the other 90% of hive population. Yes they are the females of the group. ONLY they can't lay fertile eggs. (whole story behind that).
AND the queen. MOSTLY there is only 1 queen per hive. (although it is figured about 10% of hives have 2 queens, only we don't notice cause after finding 1 you don't generally look for a second) All she does is lay eggs. WHICH is very important work.
Come late summer and early fall, the drones get the boot. They stop feeding them and start dragging them out the door.
Not so much to freeze in cold weather. The drones are long gone before the cold comes....
The bees (workers) hanging out are there cause it is to hot inside. They control the temp to about 97 ish degrees to raise brood. If it is a hot night and everyone is home. Some stay outside so it does not get to hot in the hive,, also they are fanning air throught the hive to cure honey...
Bee beards happen alot in Aug,,, on hot summer nights. It is a lovely sight for a beekeeper. That usually means a strong healthy hive... What is even better is to see bee beards with honey supers still on
So that is your bee lesson for today